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Mississippi State and Ole Miss Rivalry Series Heats Up

Fans cheering during the Mississippi State and Ole Miss baseball face-off

News Summary

The Mississippi State Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels are set to face off in a thrilling doubleheader that spans over three action-packed games. With Mississippi State’s recent successful four-game winning streak and an intense rivalry at play, fans are eager to see if the Bulldogs maintain their momentum. This exciting matchup highlights impressive pitching matchups and batting statistics, as both teams vie for dominance. The series bears significant implications for NCAA tournament positioning, making it a must-watch for college baseball fans in Starkville.

Excitement in Starkville: Mississippi State and Ole Miss Face Off in Thrilling Doubleheader

Starkville is buzzing with excitement as the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Ole Miss Rebels go head-to-head in a fierce rivalry series! With Mississippi State on a hot four-game winning streak, fans are eager to see if the Bulldogs can keep this momentum going after a recent sweep of Kentucky at Dudy Noble Field.

The battle between these two teams kicked off on May 8, 2025, and is packed with action over three games that stretch until May 10. The first game is set for a primetime kickoff at 7:30 p.m. and will be available to watch on the SEC Network. For those unable to catch it live, fear not! The final two games will stream on SEC Network+, so you can enjoy the action from the comfort of your home.

Game Day Lineup: Who’s Pitching?

With their eyes on victory, interim head coach Justin Parker is sticking with his winning formula, keeping the same starting pitching rotation for this series. The Bulldogs are rolling out junior left-hander Pico Kohn to start Game 1 with a solid record of 5-2 and 3.90 ERA. On the other side of the diamond, Ole Miss counters with junior southpaw Hunter Elliott, who boasts a record of 6-3 and 3.71 ERA.

For Game 2, Mississippi State calls on junior right-hander Evan Siary, and let me tell you, he is ready to shine! With an ERA of 4.95, he’s hungry to prove himself, especially after an unparalleled performance recently where he struck out 15 batters while pitching eight shutout innings. Ole Miss responds with their right-hander Riley Maddox, who has a solid 5-4 record and 5.80 ERA. Finally, the series wraps up with senior right-hander Karson Ligon taking the mound for Mississippi State and Mason Nichols for Ole Miss.

Comparison of Stats: What to Expect

As the teams face off, it’s interesting to take a look at their respective records and performance stats. The Bulldogs enter the series with an overall record of 29-19 and are 10-14 in SEC play. Their hitting has been impressive with a season batting average of .305, cranking out 80 home runs and averaging 7.8 runs per game. Defensively, the Bulldogs are no slouches either, boasting a remarkable fielding percentage of .973.

Leading the pack for Mississippi State is senior left fielder Gehrig Frei, showing off a stellar batting average of .364. Freshman sensation Ace Reese is riding a 15-game hitting streak, while junior designated hitter Noah Sullivan has been on base for 31 consecutive games! Let’s not forget senior first baseman Hunter Hines, who has belted out an impressive 65 career home runs, which is tied for the most among active Division I players.

On the rival side, the Rebels come into the series strong with a record of 33-15 and 13-11 in SEC competition, despite recently facing a setback where they lost a series against Oklahoma. Leading Ole Miss is Luke Hill, batting at an impressive .344 and owning 62 hits this season. The Rebels have cranked out 88 home runs this year, swinging to a .287 team batting average.

A Week of Rivalry and NCAA Buzz

As the teams battle it out in Starkville, the implications of this series loom large. Mississippi State is aiming to solidify its spot in the NCAA tournament while Ole Miss seeks to enhance their case for hosting a regional. The stakes couldn’t be higher! The all-time series record tips in Mississippi State’s favor at 267-214-5, but Ole Miss managed to snag the Governor’s Cup earlier this season, making this matchup even more intriguing.

Don’t miss out on the exciting games ahead! May 9 will feature Game 2 at 2 p.m., followed by the finale on May 10 at an adjusted time of 7 p.m., due to inclement weather forecasts. Grab your snacks, wear your colors, and let the rivalry reignite in Starkville!